Born in 1959 at the cooperative agricultural community of Kfar Ahim, Benny Gantz transitioned from a decades-long military career into the complex arena of Israeli national politics. He navigated multiple high-level appointments as the state experienced cycles of government instability, ultimately serving as the 20th Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces.
Military Service and Command
Drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in 1977, Gantz volunteered for the Paratroopers Brigade. His early assignments included serving as security detail during President Anwar Sadat’s visit to Israel and participating in Operation Litani. After completing Officer Candidate School in 1979, he commanded units including the 890 'Efe' paratroop battalion and the Shaldag Unit. He oversaw the 1991 extraction of Ethiopian Jews during Operation Solomon. His career included roles as commander of the Northern Command and service as Israel’s military attaché in the United States from 2005 to 2009.
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In February 2011, Defense Minister Ehud Barak recommended Gantz to serve as the 20th Chief of the General Staff. Following unanimous government approval, he assumed command on 14 February 2011. During his four-year tenure, he focused on operational readiness and logistics. He concluded his service in 2015, having reached the rank of rav aluf.
Political Transition
Gantz entered electoral politics in December 2018 by forming the Israel Resilience party. This entity later aligned with Yesh Atid and Telem to establish the Blue and White alliance. After winning seats in the Knesset, he became the 17th Speaker of the Knesset in March 2020. He subsequently held several ministerial portfolios, including Justice Minister and Defense Minister, and served as alternate prime minister during a coalition rotation agreement with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Recent Government Roles
Following the October 2023 outbreak of the Gaza war, Gantz’s National Unity party joined a war cabinet in the thirty-seventh government. He served as a minister without portfolio until June 2024, at which point he resigned from the war cabinet alongside Gadi Eisenkot.
Fast facts
- Born: 1959, Kfar Ahim
- Military Rank: rav aluf
- Chief of the General Staff: 2011-2015
- Education: Tel Aviv University, University of Haifa, National Defense University
- Awards: Commander of the Legion of Merit
- Key Alliance: Blue and White
- Parliamentary Service: Knesset member (2019-2022)
Questions readers ask
What military rank did Benny Gantz achieve?
He reached the rank of rav aluf, the highest rank in the Israel Defense Forces.
Which major political alliances was Gantz associated with?
He established the Israel Resilience party, co-founded the Blue and White alliance, and later led the National Unity party.
Achievements
- Chief of the General Staff (2011–2015)
- Knesset member (2019–2019)
- Knesset member (2019–2020)
- Speaker of the Knesset (2020–2020)
- Educated at Tel Aviv University and University of Haifa
